Sensory Superstition on Multiple Interval Schedules

Starr, Bettie C.; Staddon, J. E. R.

doi:10.1901/jeab.1982.37-267

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Morse and Skinner (1957) exposed pigeons to a VI 3-min schedule while a key light alternated between orange and blue (i.e., multiple VI 3 min VI 3 min), and found different rates of responding between the two colors even though an identical VI 3-min schedule was in effect throughout. Such a superstitious response-rate differentiation across stimuli also was found under identical FI schedules (Starr & Staddon, 1982). During the multiple FI FI testing phase in the present experiments, response rates also were different between the green and red stimuli under identical FI schedules.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Some Determinants of Remote Behavioral History Effects in Humans

Hirai

Okouchi

Matsumoto

et al. 2011

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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Undergraduates were exposed to a series of reinforcement schedules: first, to a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule in the presence of one stimulus and to a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedule in the presence of another (multiple FR DRL training), then to a fixed-interval (FI) schedule in the presence of a third stimulus (FI baseline), next to the FI schedule under the stimuli previously correlated with the FR and DRL schedules (multiple FI FI testing), and, finally, to a single session of the multiple FR DRL schedule again (multiple FR DRL testing). Response rates during the multiple FI FI schedule were higher under the former FR stimulus than under the former DRL stimulus. This effect of remote histories was prolonged when either the number of FI-baseline sessions was small or zero, or the time interval between the multiple FR DRL training and the multiple FI FI testing was short. Response rates under these two stimuli converged with continued exposure to the multiple FI FI schedule in most cases, but quickly differentiated when the schedule returned to the multiple FR DRL.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Some Determinants of Remote Behavioral History Effects in Humans

Hirai

Okouchi

Matsumoto

et al. 2011

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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“…Experimental studies on the socalled superstitious phenomena covered both human (e.g., Higgins, Morris & Johnson, 1989;Ono, 1987;Panetta, da Hora & Benvenuti, 2007) and nonhuman (e.g., Morse & Skinner, 1957;Neuringer, 1970;Starr & Staddon, 1982) behaviors, but they did not address selection at the cultural level.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Selection of Cultural Units by Non-Contingent Cultural Events

Marques

Tourinho

2015

Behav. Soc. Iss.

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ABSTRACT:We assessed the effects of non-contingent cultural events on the recurrence of the coordinated behaviors of groups of individuals (interlocking behavioral contingencies-IBCs). Laboratory microcultures (three participants each) performed an experimental task, which consisted of selecting rows of a matrix. After each 20 cycles of sequences of choices of rows, a new participant replaced an old one, thus creating a "generational shift ." Individual consequences (plastic coins exchangeable for money) were contingent on the choice of odd-numbered rows. Cultural events (printed stamps exchangeable for school supplies to be donated) occurred after the three participants had made their choices, but these events were not contingent on any particular sequence of rows (IBCs, and the aggregate product produced). During the first 60 cycles, the cultural events occurred after 80% of the cycles, independently of the aggregate product. Next, there was a sequence of 30 cycles in which no cultural event occurred. Finally, the experimental conditions returned to the initial non-contingent occurrence of cultural events. The results show the strengthening of operant individual behaviors, as well as of IBCs in the non-contingent conditions. Cultural transmission was also observed. We discuss the parallel between the observed recurrence of IBCs and previous studies on superstitious individual behavior. The results add to the acknowledged selection of cultural practices by long-term contingent products the possible selection of "superstitious" cultural practices by non-contingent cultural events. Such a possibility should be further investigated, with original or similar experimental designs.

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“…This phenomenon, investigated by Morse and Skinner (1957), is called "sensory superstition." Although sensory superstition does not produce as large a difference as when a discriminative stimulus is working effectively, it does occur in animals under various conditions (Blue, Sherman, & Pierrel, 1971; Kello, Innis, & Staddon, 1975;Kieffer, 1965;Lander, 1968;Starr & Staddon, 1982).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Superstitious Behavior in Humans

Ono

1987

J Exper Analysis Behavior

102

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Twenty undergraduate students were exposed to single response-independent schedules of reinforcer presentation, fixed-time or variable-time, each with values of 30 and 60 s. The reinforcer was a point on a counter accompanied by a red lamp and a brief buzzer. Three color signals were presented, without consistent relation to reinforcer or to the subjects' behavior. Three large levers were available, but the subjects were not asked to perform any particular behavior. Three of the 20 subjects developed persistent superstitious behavior. One engaged in a pattern of lever-pulling responses that consisted of long pulls after a few short pulls; the second touched many things in the experimental booth; the third showed biased responding called sensory superstition. However, most subjects did not show consistent superstitious behavior. Reinforcers can operate effectively on human behavior even in the absence of a response-reinforcer contingency and can, in some cases, shape stable superstitious patterns. However, superstitious behavior is not a consistent outcome of exposure of human subjects to response-independent reinforcer deliveries.

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Sensory Superstition on Multiple Interval Schedules

Cited by 10 publications

References 10 publications

Some Determinants of Remote Behavioral History Effects in Humans

Some Determinants of Remote Behavioral History Effects in Humans

The Selection of Cultural Units by Non-Contingent Cultural Events

Superstitious Behavior in Humans

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